CUET 2024 Question Paper with Answer Key PDF for Environmental Studies (May 18 - Shift 2)

Content Writer | Updated On - Nov 23, 2024

CUET Question Papers are the most important study material for effective exam preparation. We at Zollege have provided all CUET Previous Year Papers with Solution PDFs here. CUET 2024 Environmental Studies was conducted successfully on May 18 by NTA.

Students can freely download the CUET previous year's question paper PDFs along with their solutions here. We strongly encourage cuet aspirants to scan through all the CUET Question Paper to know the overall difficulty level, CUET Syllabus and understand the changes in CUET Exam Pattern over the years.

CUET 2024 Environmental Studies Question Paper with Answer Key PDF

CUET 2024 Environmental Studies Question Paper	CUET Question Paper PDF	CUET Solution PDF
CUET 2024 Environmental Studies Question Paper (SET-A)	Download PDF	Download PDF
CUET 2024 Environmental Studies Question Paper (SET-B)	Download PDF	Download PDF
CUET 2024 Environmental Studies Question Paper (SET-C)	Download PDF	Download PDF
CUET 2024 Environmental Studies Question Paper (SET-D)	Download PDF	Download PDF

CUET 2024 Environmental Studies Question Paper Set-B with Solution

Sr. No.	Question	Options	Correct Answer	Solution
1	Match List-I (Authors) with List-II (Books/Poems): List-I (Author) (A) Gary Snyder (B) Wendell Berry (C) Rachel Carson (D) Barry Commoner List-II (Book/Poem) (I) Mountains and Rivers Without End (II) The Closing Circle (III) Silent Spring (IV) A Place on Earth	1. (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(II) 2. (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(II) 3. (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(I) 4. (A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I)	2. (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(II)	Gary Snyder's "Mountains and Rivers Without End," Wendell Berry's "A Place on Earth," Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," and Barry Commoner's "The Closing Circle" correspond to these authors.
2	Match List-I (Concepts) with List-II (Proponents): List-I (Concept) (A) Ecology (B) Ecosystem (C) Human population growth (D) Hot spots List-II (Proposed by) (I) Norman Myers (II) Ernst Haeckel (III) Sir Arthur Tansley (IV) T R Malthus	1. (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(II), (D)-(III) 2. (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV) 3. (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I) 4. (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(II)	3. (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I)	Ernst Haeckel coined "ecology," Sir Arthur Tansley developed "ecosystem," T.R. Malthus proposed human population growth, and Norman Myers emphasized biodiversity hotspots.
3	The ecological thought focused on saving forests for their utility rather than their innate value is known as?	1. Deep ecology 2. Social ecology 3. Eco-feminism 4. Shallow ecology	4. Shallow ecology	Shallow ecology focuses on conserving forests for human benefits (e.g., oxygen, timber), in contrast to deep ecology, which values nature for its inherent worth.
4	Which of the following is not a major goal of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)?	1. 20 April 1970 2. 22 April 1970 3. 05 June 1970 4. 20 April 1972	4. Creating a worldwide fund for education	WWF's major goals are biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use, and pollution reduction, but it does not focus on creating an education fund.
5	The first Earth Day was celebrated on?	(1) 20 April, 1970 (2) 22 April, 1970 (3) 05 June, 1970 (4) 20 April, 1972	2. 22 April 1970	Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970, which marked a key moment in the environmental movement, leading to critical environmental laws.
6	The plants and animals that cannot maintain a constant internal environment are called?	1. Regulators 2. Migraters 3. Conformers 4. Suspenders	3. Conformers	Conformers adjust their internal conditions based on external environmental changes, unlike regulators that maintain constant internal conditions.
7	The number of individuals of the same species that have come into a habitat from elsewhere is referred to as?	1. Emigration 2. Immigration 3. Natality 4. Mortality	2. Immigration	Immigration is the movement of individuals into a new habitat, which increases population size and can affect resource availability.
8	Which statements are true regarding succession?	1. (A), (B), and (D) only 2. (A), (B), (C), and (D) 3. (A), (B), and (C) only 4. (B), (C), and (D) only	2. (A), (B), (C), and (D)	Succession is the process of ecosystem development over time, including both primary (on previously uninhabited land) and secondary succession (in disturbed areas).
9	Match List-I (States) with List-II (National Parks): List-I (State) (A) Madhya Pradesh (B) Arunachal Pradesh (C) Meghalaya (D) Tamil Nadu List-II (National Park) (I) Namdapha National Park (II) Guindy National Park (III) Nokrek National Park (IV) Kuno National Park	1. (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(II) 2. (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I) 3. (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(II), (D)-(III) 4. (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(II), (D)-(III)	1. (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(II)	Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Namdapha National Park (Arunachal Pradesh), Nokrek National Park (Meghalaya), and Guindy National Park (Tamil Nadu) are key conservation areas.
10	Which soil has high water retention capacity?	1. Sandy soil 2. Loamy soil 3. Sandy silt soil 4. Clayey soil	4. Clayey soil	Clayey soil retains water due to its compact structure, making it ideal for crops requiring consistent moisture but sometimes poor in drainage.
11	Which factors affect the soil respiration process?	1. (A), (C) and (E) only 2. (A), (B), (C) and (D) only 3. (B), (C) and (D) only 4. (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E)	2. (A), (B), (C), and (D) only	Soil respiration is affected by temperature, moisture, and the presence of microorganisms, impacting nutrient cycles and ecosystem health.
12	Which is not a criteria air pollutant under NAAQS?	1. CO₂ 2. CO 3. O₃ 4. Pb	1. CO₂	While CO₂ is a significant greenhouse gas, it is not listed as a criteria pollutant by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which regulate pollutants like CO, O₃, and Pb.
13	The disease "Itai-Itai" is caused by contamination of drinking water with?	1. Mercury 2. Cadmium 3. Arsenic 4. Chromium	2. Cadmium	Itai-Itai disease, first identified in Japan, is caused by cadmium contamination, resulting in bone softening and renal failure.
14	Photochemical smog formation requires?	1. Smoke, water vapor, and low temperature 2. NOx, SO2, and high temperature 3. NOx, VOCs, and high temperature 4. Smoke, NOx, and low temperature	3. NOx, VOCs, and high temperature	Photochemical smog is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react under sunlight, especially in high temperatures.
15	Arrange the stages of primary succession of plants (last to first):	1. (A), (B), (C), (D) 2. (C), (A), (B), (D) 3. (D), (B), (A), (C) 4. (A), (C), (B), (D)	1. (A), (B), (C), (D)	Primary succession progresses from pioneer species (phytoplankton) to reed swamps, with increasing complexity and biomass.
16	Match List-I (Forest Acts/Policies) with List-II (Year): List-I (Forest Act/Policy) (A) Forest Act (B) National Forest Policy (C) Forest Conservation Act (D) Wildlife Protection Act List-II (Year) (I) 1927 (II) 1988 (III) 1980 (IV) 1972	1. (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV) 2. (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(I), (D)-(IV) 3. (A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I) 4. (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)	1. (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)	The Forest Act (1927), National Forest Policy (1988), Forest Conservation Act (1980), and Wildlife Protection Act (1972) form key forest management policies in India.
17	Arrange in increasing dry weight in a biomass pyramid (grassland ecosystem):	1. (A), (B), (C), (D) 2. (A), (C), (B), (D) 3. (D), (C), (B), (A) 4. (D), (C), (A), (B)	1. (A), (B), (C), (D)	In a biomass pyramid, producers have the highest dry weight, followed by herbivores, secondary consumers, and top carnivores.
18	Curitiba, a city in Brazil, is famous for?	1. Organic farming practices 2. Water network projects implementation 3. Integrated transport network system 4. Solid waste disposal system	3. Integrated transport network system	Curitiba is renowned for its innovative bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which revolutionized urban transportation and reduced congestion.
19	Which gas contributes the least to global warming?	1. N₂O 2. NO₂ 3. CFCs 4. CH₄	3. CFCs	While CFCs deplete the ozone layer, they contribute less to global warming compared to gases like methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O).
20	Nomadic movements are not considered migrations because people move from one place to another?	1. For economic reasons 2. For social factors 3. Without any intention to settle 4. For physical reasons	3. Without any intention to settle	Nomadic movements are temporary and driven by the search for resources, unlike migration which involves permanent settlement.
21	Which does not explain the relationship between human development and economic development?	1. Capability expansion through economic growth 2. Capability expansion through poverty reduction 3. Capability expansion through social services 4. Capability expansion through environmental degradation	4. Capability expansion through environmental degradation	Environmental degradation undermines human and economic development, as it leads to resource depletion and poor living conditions.
22	The Gandhian economy model does not contain elements of?	1. Multiplication of needs 2. Rejection of class-war 3. Protectionism 4. Nationalism	1. Multiplication of needs	Gandhi advocated for simplicity and self-reliance, rejecting materialism and the multiplication of needs that leads to consumerism.
23	The most suitable method for safe disposal of hospital solid waste is?	1. Dumping 2. Incineration 3. Pyrolysis 4. Composting	2. Incineration	Incineration effectively reduces hospital waste and eliminates harmful pathogens through high-temperature combustion.
24	Arrange the processes from start to end in a food distribution system:	1. (A), (B), (C), (D) 2. (C), (B), (A), (D) 3. (A), (B), (D), (C) 4. (C), (B), (A), (D)	4. (C), (B), (A), (D)	In food distribution, the process usually begins with storage, followed by processing, packaging, and marketing.
25	Which is an incorrect statement about GDP?	1. GDP does not measure the sustainability of growth. 2. GDP helps understand whether the economy is growing or contracting. 3. GDP reflects annual trends of inflation and prices of commodities. 4. GDP helps understand shifts in the country's economy.	3. GDP reflects annual trends of inflation and prices of commodities.	GDP measures the overall economic output but does not reflect inflation or commodity prices, which are tracked by other indicators like the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
26	Match List-I (Protocols/Conventions) with List-II (Year): List-I (Protocol/Convention) List-II (Year) (A) Kyoto Protocol (I) 1987 (B) Montreal Protocol (II) 1997 (C) Bamako Convention (III) 1989 (D) Basel Convention (IV) 1998	1. (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(II), (D)-(III) 2. (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(II) 3. (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(II) 4. (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)	4. (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)	The Kyoto Protocol (1997) focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while the Montreal Protocol (1987) aimed to protect the ozone layer. The Bamako Convention (1998) regulated hazardous waste in Africa, and the Basel Convention (1989) governed hazardous waste across borders.
27	Petroleum in sedimentary rocks that can be drilled is categorized as?	1. Actual resources 2. Potential resources 3. Stock resources 4. Reserve resources	2. Potential resources	Petroleum in sedimentary rocks is a potential resource, meaning it is known to exist but has not yet been fully extracted and utilized.
28	Common water storage methods in Bihar are?	1. (A) and (C) only 2. (B) and (D) only 3. (A) and (B) only 4. (C) and (D) only	2. (B) and (D) only	Bihar's traditional water storage systems include Ahar and Pynes, which are crucial for managing water resources in drought-prone areas.
29	The diversity of organisms sharing the same community is called?	1. Beta diversity 2. Gamma diversity 3. Alpha diversity 4. Genetic diversity	3. Alpha diversity	Alpha diversity refers to the species diversity within a specific ecosystem or community.
30	Which is not a basic pillar of sustainable development?	1. Environmental preservation 2. Social equity 3. Economic growth 4. Urbanization	4. Urbanization	Sustainable development rests on three pillars: environmental preservation, social equity, and economic growth. Urbanization is a process, not a pillar of sustainability.
31	Which is a Kharif crop?	1. Wheat 2. Rice 3. Cucumber 4. Mustard	2. Rice	Rice is a Kharif crop, grown during the monsoon season from June to October.
32	The concept of Joint Forest Management does not include?	1. Government works closely with local people to manage forests. 2. Locals use forest resources in return for protecting ecosystems. 3. The infrastructure development at the cost of forest resources. 4. Sustainable conservation of forests.	3. The infrastructure development at the cost of forest resources.	Joint Forest Management focuses on sustainable forest conservation through cooperation between local communities and the government. It opposes infrastructure development that harms forest resources.
33	The environment’s ability to absorb and render harmless waste is called?	1. Source function of ecosystem 2. Sink function of ecosystem 3. Carrying capacity of ecosystem 4. Optimal capacity of ecosystem	2. Sink function of ecosystem	The sink function refers to the environment's ability to absorb waste and pollution without degrading its health or functionality.
34	A main characteristic of perpetual resources is?	1. Consumption at a fast rate 2. Continuous availability at a limited rate 3. Unconditional availability 4. Not formed naturally	2. Continuous availability at a limited rate	Perpetual resources, like sunlight and wind, are always available but at a limited rate.
35	Arrange the radiation types in increasing order of wavelength:	1. (C), (B), (A), (D), (E) 2. (A), (B), (C), (E), (D) 3. (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) 4. (E), (D), (C), (B), (A)	1. (C), (B), (A), (D), (E)	Radiation types, from shortest to longest wavelength, are: UV-C, UV-B, UV-A, infrared, and microwave.
36	A bee-keeper in an orchard enabling pollination is an example of?	1. Negative production externalities 2. Negative consumption externalities 3. Positive production externalities 4. Positive consumption externalities	3. Positive production externalities	A beekeeper promotes positive production externalities by benefiting both the bees (honey production) and the orchard (pollination).
37	Arrange atmospheric layers from Earth's surface upwards:	1. (E), (C), (B), (D), (A) 2. (E), (C), (B), (A), (D) 3. (E), (B), (C), (A), (D) 4. (E), (B), (C), (D), (A)	3. (E), (B), (C), (A), (D)	The layers from Earth's surface upwards are: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
38	Which is associated with ozone destruction in the stratosphere?	1. (A) and (E) only 2. (A), (B) and (E) only 3. (A), (C) and (D) only 4. (A), (B), (C) and (E) only	2. (A), (B) and (E) only	Ozone destruction is caused by CFCs, polar stratospheric clouds, and chlorine radicals. These react to deplete the ozone layer.
39	Which are examples of resources?	1. (A) and (D) only 2. (A), (B) and (D) only 3. (A), (B) and (C) only 4. (A), (B), (C) and (D)	4. (A), (B), (C) and (D)	Resources include materials, energy, knowledge, and services that are necessary for human activities.
40	Which treaty prohibits the import of hazardous waste into African nations?	1. The Basel Convention 2. The Capetown Convention 3. The Bamako Convention 4. The Madagascar Convention	3. The Bamako Convention	The Bamako Convention prohibits the importation of hazardous waste into Africa to prevent the continent from becoming a dumping ground for toxic materials.
41	Continuous increase of productivity in lakes eventually causes?	1. Biomagnification in lakes 2. Bioaccumulation in lakes 3. Eutrophication in lakes 4. Bioconcentration in lakes	3. Eutrophication in lakes	Eutrophication is the result of excess nutrients in lakes, leading to algae blooms, oxygen depletion, and the death of aquatic life.
42	Dissolved oxygen in water?	1. Remains constant in winter and summer 2. Remains low in winter and high in summer 3. Remains high in winter and low in summer 4. Doesn’t depend on the temperature of water	3. Remains high in winter and low in summer	Cold water retains more dissolved oxygen, so levels are higher in winter and lower in summer. This affects aquatic life, which requires oxygen for survival.
43	Excess suspended particles in lake water due to agricultural runoff result in?	1. High salinity 2. High turbidity 3. High dissolved oxygen 4. High BOD	2. High turbidity	Agricultural runoff increases suspended particles, leading to high turbidity, which affects light penetration and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
44	Water in lakes with high algal and phytoplankton growth is expected to have?	1. High dissolved oxygen 2. High dissolved oxygen and high BOD 3. Low dissolved oxygen and high BOD 4. Low dissolved oxygen and low BOD	3. Low dissolved oxygen and high BOD	Algal blooms increase biological oxygen demand (BOD), which reduces dissolved oxygen levels and harms aquatic organisms.
45	Which of the following is a limiting nutrient in lakes and ponds?	1. Iron 2. Phosphorus 3. Magnesium 4. Sulphur	2. Phosphorus	Phosphorus is often the limiting nutrient in freshwater ecosystems, and excess levels can lead to eutrophication.
46	The available biomass for consumption by herbivores and decomposers is referred to as?	1. Primary production 2. Gross primary productivity 3. Net primary productivity 4. Secondary productivity	3. Net primary productivity	Net primary productivity (NPP) is the biomass available after accounting for energy used by plants in respiration, supporting herbivores and decomposers.
47	The rate of production of organic matter during photosynthesis is referred to as?	1. Primary production 2. Gross primary productivity 3. Net primary productivity 4. Standing crop	2. Gross primary productivity	Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the total amount of organic material produced during photosynthesis before accounting for respiration.
48	The interaction between sea anemones and clownfish is an example of?	1. Both species are benefitted 2. Both are harmed 3. One is harmed and the other is benefitted 4. One is benefited and the other remains unaffected	1. Both species are benefitted	The clownfish-anemone relationship is an example of mutualism, where both species benefit from the interaction.
49	The species interaction in which both interacting species are harmed is referred to as?	1. Predation 2. Parasitism 3. Competition 4. Mutualism	3. Competition	In competition, both species suffer due to limited access to shared resources, which impacts their growth and survival.
50	Mycorrhizal association between fungi and the roots of higher plants is best referred to as?	1. Commensalism 2. Amensalism 3. Mutualism 4. Competition	3. Mutualism	Mycorrhizal associations between fungi and plant roots benefit both parties: fungi help plants absorb water and nutrients, while the plants provide carbohydrates.